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LuftFan

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Hi

I have not build a PC for 3 years, so its time to do decent upgrade. I'm speccing the following, but will welcome advise on PSU and Case.

ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo
OCZ DDR2 4096MB Reaper Heat-Pipe 1066MHz 2x2048MB KIT
Seagate, 500Gb, 7200rpm, 16mb cache, NCQ, SATA-300
(I will also fit Seagate 280GB from current setup + smaller/faster HD later)
Intel Pentium Quad-Core Q9550
Coolermaster Hyper N620
Asus GTS250 Dark Knight 1GB (first to be replaced)

I also run Pinnacle graphics converter (for Handycam) and the usual series of 2 DVDs, stiffy (don't laugh), External HD, 2 Printers, Scanner the lot. My PC is never switched off.

PC use: Photoshop and gaming

Cases (in order of "I LIKE"):
Coolermaster HAF922
OR
Coolermaster RC-690
OR
Raidmax Smilodon Extreme Black
OR
Antec 900

as you can see I'm planning to do overclocking and expect some further upgrades over my usual 3-4 year PC lifecycle.

Dust management and cabling access an issue. Hard drives must be easily changeable. I need multi USB access up front. Noise not high on the agenda, but not be ignored.

What power do I need? VANTEC ION2+ 500W ?

I expect some harsh comments - I've only been researching for a few days and I'm a bit overwhelmed how the options have increased since I last built a PC!

Thanks for your comment.

LuftFan
 
Change the Seagate 500GB for a Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB. Or perhaps just get a 1TB drive as it is now just a couple hundred more.

You might need a larger PSU than 500W and rather get one with a single 12V rail rather than multiple rails. Ofcourse, I found that a little difficult recently.
 
Your motivation for the WD? I've mostly had Seagates, therefore the choice. I take your comment re TB drive.
Thank you.
 
Just mentioned it as it seems to one of the quicker spinny platter things out there today, short of a Raptor or SAS. In benchmarks the Samsung F1 is near identical. WD Black is running like a charm on my machine.

Unfortunately the WD Caviar Black 1TB is still overpriced in the 1TB market. I might actually just get the normal WD 1TB sometime soon, although current Seagate pricing is tempting.
 
Some of the ASUS i5 boards are well kitted out for sure and the price is kind of inline with the rest I think. Definitely worthwhile looking at the i5. However, I don't think the 775 is going to die and instant death. It's definitely got 3 years in it until LuftFan considers another upgrade.
 
And also by then Intel would've come up with some other socket again.. LGA9812446^14
 
I would also try for the new Core i5. And maybe Radeon graphics - 4870 rather than a GTS 250
 
I haven't checked I5 at all. I looked at I7, but then budget constraints sets in. Less RAM, weaker Graphics. tightening up on case and PSU, all that kind of stuff.

I'm coming From AMD Athlon +3200 939. The 735 Q9550 and Asus Graphics is plenty upgrade.

Any mobo preference on I5?
 
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